Edmond beale and andrew bangs



(No Model.)

E. BEALE &u AVBANGS.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented May' 12, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMOND BEALE AND ANDREW BANGS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA;

FlRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 31'7,704, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed April 2, 1885. (No model.)

Ta aZZ whom it may concrn:

Be it known that we, EDMOND BEALE and ANDREW BANGS, both citizens of the United States, and both residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Penn sylvania, have jointly invented an Improvement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a class of devices which have for their object the provision of convenient and readily-utilized means for affording egress from the upper windows of a burning building.

Apparatus Conveniently embodying our invention is represented in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification, the particular subject-matter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevational view representing the mode of employin g our invention. Fig. 2 is a View in perspective of the chair and its slings. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the chair and slings connected with a tubular slide. Fig. 4 is a face elevation of the trestle. Fig. 5 is an elevational detail of a joint which we find it convenient to employ in the making of our trestle. Fig. 6 is a sectional plan detail on the line a a of Fig. 5.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents a window casement or opening in connection with which it is desired to employ our apparatus.

B is a two-legged trestle-stand, the extremities of the legs or members of which are shod with iron pins or points b, adapted to sink into the fiooring, and the joint of which is conveniently made of the crocodile-jaw 77 character commonly employed, for instance, in glovestretchers, and also Conveniently provided with atongue-and-groove connection, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and which is set forth in the accompanying drawings. At or near the joint is a cross-head, b pivoted to the legs ot' the trestle, and to which, or to the adjacent regions of the legs of the trestle, is fixedly secured the upper end of a metal guy or stay, G, which is to be carried out through the window, and is adapted to be secured to any fixture upon the street below, and, preferably, upon the sidewalk opposite to the building from'which escape is desired. Conveniently to the cross-head of the trestle is also secured a pulley, block, ring, or other devicc, b through which a rope, F, can freely run.. One of the legs of the trestle is also Conveniently provided with a cleat or stanchion, b The outer extremity of the guy or stay is conveniently provided with a block and tackle, c, so that the length of the guy may be increased or diminished.

I) is a pulley slide or runner, of metal, conveniently made in the form of a metal tube, which is adapted to run upon the guy or stay, and to which is secured, by wrapping, lashing, or any other convenient means, a hook d,

'from which the chair E or sliding seat of the escape is adapted to be Suspended. The chair E is a part of or supported upon lateral slings e e, which arecapped with ferrules e for attachment to the hook d of the tubular slide. The two slings are also connected by a crosssling, e to support the back of the person using the chair. In the employment of my device the trestle is erected at an angle within the room, and in such manner that its upper extremity rests or leans -above the windowcasement. The iron points on the legs pre-.

vent its slpping. The wire guy, which is provided with the slide, is then thrown out of the window, and is secured across the street by persons in the street. The slide being :at the top of the guy, the person to make .the de scent seats himself in the chair, and is, by means of the pulling-rope F, which is attached to the slide, and which passes through the pulley b on the trestle or in the building,

lowered to the street by a person inside the room, or else, retaining the free end of the pulling-rope, lowers himself, while, if desired, the free end of the pulling-rope being thrown out of the window, he may be lowered by a person in the street. The slide runs down the guy without obtaining a too great speed by reason of the control upon the pullingrope and the inclination of the guy or stay. The lateral slings and cross-sling make the seat of the person occupying the chair secure. i

The particular construction of the trestle may, of course, be varied. I, however, prefer a trestle of substantially the construction shown and described.

The device is simple, easily thrown into action, safe, and efficient.

IOO

When not in use, the trestle can be folded together and will occupy but little space, and the guy can, if desired, be wrapped around the folded trestle.

The stay need notbe fastened in the street, as it is possible to use the chair upon the stay when han ging free. The advantage, however,

of the fastening in the street is, that it causes the chair to clear lower windows, from which flames may be issuing.

Having thus described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat ente- 1. The combination, to form a fireescape, of a guy or stay secured within a room, passed through the window thereof, and adapted to be secured to the street, a slide or pulley equipped with a sling or chair and adapted to travel upon the guy or stay, and a rope connected with the slide or chair for controlling the movement of said chair, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, to form a fire-escape, of a trestle or brace adapted to he erected within a room and to rest against the inside of the wall or window-frame thereo'f, a guy or stay connected with said trestle, passed through the window, and adapted to be secured to the street, a slide or pulley equipped With a sling or chair and adapted to travel upon the guy or stay, and a rope connected with the slide or chair for controlling the movement of said chair, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names this 27th day of March, A. D. 1885. EDMOND BEALE.

^ ANDREW BANGS.

In presence of J. BONSALL TAYLOR, WM. G. STRAWBRIDGE. 

